Cap and Gown
Class of 2020 please view the 2020 FAQ page for information about cap and gown orders.
Class of 2021 cap and gown order information will be available early 2021.
Vanderbilt Apparel
DESIGN
The design of the academic regalia (cap and gown) and the colors worn are significant. The distinguishing mark of the gown is the sleeve:
- Bachelor — long pointed sleeve
- Master — an oblong sleeve open at the wrist
- Doctor — bell-shaped sleeve with three velvet bars
- Ph.D. — gold gown with bell-shaped sleeve and three velvet bars
ADORNMENT POLICY – Personal decor is not allowed on mortar boards, caps, or gowns. To view the complete adornment policy on cords, decorations, etc., click here.
Degrees Offered and Tassel/Hood Colors
School | Degree Offered | Degree Abbreviation | Tassel Color | Hood Color | Tam |
College of Arts & Science | Bachelor of Arts | B.A. | Black | ||
Blair School of Music | Bachelor of Music | B.Mus. | Pink | ||
Divinity School | Master of Theological Studies | M.T.S. | Red | Red | |
Master of Divinity | M.Div. | Red | Red | ||
School of Engineering | Bachelor of Engineering | B.E. | Orange | ||
Bachelor of Science | B.S. | Gold | |||
Master of Engineering | M.Eng. | Orange | Orange | ||
Graduate School | Master of Arts | M.A. | White | White | |
Master of Fine Arts | M.F.A. | Brown | Brown | ||
Master of Liberal Arts and Science | M.L.A.S. | White | White | ||
Master of Science | M.S. | Gold | Gold | ||
Doctor of Philosophy | Ph.D. | Doctor Gold | Dark Blue | ✔ | |
Law School | Doctor of Jurisprudence | J.D. | Doctor Gold | Purple | ✔ |
Master of Laws | LL.M. | Purple | Purple | ||
School of Medicine | Doctor of Medicine | M.D. | Doctor Gold | Green | ✔ |
Master of Public Health | M.P.H. | Salmon | Salmon | ||
Master of Science in Clinical Investigation | M.S. | Gold | Gold | ||
Doctor of Audiology | AU.D. | Doctor Gold | Green | ✔ | |
Master of Science (Speech-Language Pathology) | M.S.S.L.P. | Gold | Gold | ||
Doctor of Medical Physics | M.P.D. | Doctor Gold | Green | ✔ | |
Master of Science in Medical Physics | M.M.P. | Gold | Gold | ||
Master of Science in Laboratory Investigation | M.L.I. | Gold | Gold | ||
Master of Science in Applied Clinical Informatics | M.S.A.C.I. | Gold | Gold | ||
Master of Education of the Deaf | M.D.E. | Gold | Gold | ||
School of Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing | M.S.N. | Apricot | Apricot | |
Doctor of Nursing Practice | D.N.P. | Doctor Gold | Apricot | ✔ | |
Owen Graduate School of Management | Master of Business Administration | M.B.A. | Drab | Drab | |
Master of Science in Finance | M.S.F. | Gold | Gold | ||
Master of Accountancy | M.Acct | Drab | Drab | ||
Master of Marketing | M.Mark | Drab | Drab | ||
Master of Management in Health Care | M.M.H.C | Drab | Drab | ||
Peabody College | Bachelor of Science | B.S. | Gold | ||
Master of Education | M.Ed. | Light Blue | Light Blue | ||
Master of Public Policy | M.P.P. | Peacock Blue | Peacock Blue | ||
Doctor of Education | Ed.D. | Doctor Gold | Light Blue | ✔ |
* Degrees are awarded through the Graduate School, but are listed under both the Grad School and specific school.
* All Vanderbilt Doctors wear tams with Gold silk doctoral tassels attached